Just stick with it to make resolutions last

A new year has dawned and there are those who make resolutions and those who don’t. While the debate about the usefulness of resolutions will always linger, there is a way to make resolutions or goals stick it out beyond January.

However, it’s not going to be easy and there will be plenty of times to want to give up but making yourself better is worth the hardship, don’t you think?

There are some experts who say it takes 21 days or three weeks to make a habit stick while some point to 30 days. Whatever the case, it takes a while to make a habit stick along with a good dose of perseverance and a dash of stick-with-itness.

Resolutions do not have to be major events. They can be small changes that can in turn make a big difference in your life.

For example, you can resolve to park at the end of parking lot which will allow you to get a tiny bit of activity in and also cause less tension when trying to find a parking spot. After all, most people go for the closest spot.

By introducing a few more steps, you can build up your activity level if you happen to have a very sedentary lifestyle.

Not all resolutions need to be fitness or healthy eating related, although these do tend to be popular. They can be related to anything that you know you need to change or they can be a continuation from the previous year.

Who says resolutions have to be a once a year thing. Make a carry over resolution.

The one thing to keep in mind is to be repetitive with your goals. You can’t let a bad day get in the way of your long term goal. If you don’t work out or gorge at dinner or snap at your loved ones, get back on track the next day or as soon as possible and just keep on.

Oh, and if you know someone intent on making a goal, don’t laugh it off or trick or tempt them when you know they are trying to be good. Temptation is evil in disguise.

And for those good days or for when you reach a month of success, reward yourself in a way that won’t backfire on your goals. For example, if your goal is to lose weight and you reach a milestone, don’t reward yourself with food. Don’t let your rewards be self destructive.

Best wishes with those goals and if you have any success stories, contact myself at the Observer. Your success may inspire someone else.

Natalie Netzel is a staff writer for The Newberry Observer and can be reached at nnetzel@civitasmedia.com. Views expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not represent the newspaper’s opinion.

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